Oregon Diner is the latest to cut back on 24-hour service
The diner follows a trend away from round-the-clock operation.
What’ll it be? No more 24/7 service at one of the city’s oldest diners.
After more than four decades, Oregon Diner in South Philadelphia has ended its 24-hour/seven-day operation, a few months after the Penrose Diner — owned by the same group — announced a similar change.
The 24/7 hours are available during weekends only at the Oregon, which has held the corner of Third Street and Oregon Avenue since the mid-1950s, according to corporate records. It is now open from 6 a.m. to midnight weekdays; it opens at 6 a.m. Friday and remains open till 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Diner employee Angel Girini said she did not know when the Oregon started 24/7 hours, “but they’ve been there as long as I remember," said Girini, who said she is in her 50s.
The Oregon succumbed to the new world in overnight eating. Delivery services such as Uber Eats and Caviar bring food to your door with only light regard for the kitchen’s location. For hungry people who actually want to go outside in the wee hours, there is Wawa, which is engaged in a blitz of openings in the city.
Though diners are a storied part of American life, few 24/7 joints remain in Philadelphia, notably the Midtown III in Center City, South Street Diner in Queen Village, the Melrose Diner in South Philadelphia, and some of the Michael’s Family Restaurants in the region. City Diner at Broad and South Streets, also owned by the partners in the Penrose and Oregon, is open 24 hours on weekends.
Oregon management posted a notice on social media, reading in part:
"For years Oregon Diner Late Night has been a staple for so many capping their night out. It has been our pleasure to have served you on those occasions. It has however, come time for a change.
"Staffing the overnight shifts have become increasingly difficult, and we are finding ourselves in a position where we can no longer provide the level of food or service at that time of night that you deserve.
It is our intention to now provide you with an even higher standard of service throughout our weekly shifts.
We thank you for all your years of support and allowing us to serve your late nights."